When you know it’s time to leave: 5 tell-tale signs you should make a job change
People are leaving jobs at a record pace these days. Whether it is because their organization is making them go back to the office when they have settled into remote working life, they have reflected on life and decided they want a different type of career, or they just feel stuck in their position and want to make a change when they can’t change anything else. All of these reasons are valid.
The pandemic has given us all great pause to think about what matters most to us and where we want to spend the bulk of our time, which tends to be in our professions. For myself, this has been true. I know people who have languished and people who have risen. I took advantage of the new way of working to achieve some life-long goals, like publishing a book (due out in early 2022), losing weight, and focusing on my mental health.
Staying in tune with ourselves in body, mind, and spirit has become even more important. Deciding whether to quit or not is a tough choice. Many of us might stick in a position because there is some feeling of security or stability but we may be longing for a different opportunity to make a bigger difference.
Others have jumped ship quickly thinking changing a job will somehow make life more manageable. For some, this has been the case; for others, they simply inherited different problems.
In July, I wrote about questions to ask yourself before leaving to make sure you knew it was the right decision. I did not squarely address when do you know it’s time to go because, for some, you should leave your job.
Always make sure it isn’t just about leaving a bad situation but also going to a good one. It can sometimes be hard to tell that. You only get so much in an interview. You don’t know what it is like to work someplace until you work there — plain and simple. So, the big question to ask is: Is a job change worth the risk?
There are a lot of interesting opportunities out there. I know people who can’t buy an interview; then, companies are saying they can’t find qualified candidates. Interesting conundrum. I would say if someone wants to leap, there are a lot of chances to do that — more than I have seen in a while.
Here are the five signs I have used in my career to determine when it is time to go. I have left a few positions in my day; some to greener pastures and some not. Regardless, these signs help me determine if I should leave. Next week, I will share my signs that I should take a job. Because to make the best decision, we should balance between why I should leave and why I should take the new opportunity in front of me.
You are frustrated a lot
The keyword here is “a lot”. Everyone gets frustrated. Everyone gets bored, unhappy, or even angry from time to time. The question is do you feel this way most of the time. Do you dread getting out of bed for the day’s meetings or interactions? Does every little thing send you over the edge? Does the same situation happen over and over again despite your best efforts? I also focus on the word frustrated. Some coaches may ask if you feel happy. I think happiness is tricky. So much goes into whether we feel content or happy and it is hard to be happy all day, every day. However, I don’t think it is a bad idea to think about whether we are in alignment with our manager, organization, and role, which is my next point.
You are out of alignment
I have written a few posts about this concept too. Do you feel that either your job, manager, or organizational culture does not align with your values? Do you not feel heard? Are you squashed in implementing your ideas? Are you side-lined? Is the culture ultra-competitive and you are not? Is the culture conservative or slow-moving and you are an action-oriented person? Part of the analysis here is to think about your values and see how the values of your manager and organization line up or don’t. Take it from me, it is very difficult to live out of alignment. This will inevitably lead to sign #1.
You don’t feel set up for success
This does not mean that someone should be looking after you 100% of the time and keep your best interest at heart first and foremost. You need to take ownership of your career and success. However, think about the following items that typically help people be successful: clarity of vision/mission/objectives, clarity of roles and responsibilities, praise and feedback, rewards consistent with objectives, access to resources when needed, and ability to grow and learn. We could probably add more to this list but these are fundamental to your success. If you are getting some but not all, think about having a conversation with your manager.
You feel stuck
Building on the above, you are not growing or learning, you are missing opportunities, and you have no growth or path. Lack of career path is certainly the top reason most people are leaving as well as their manager, pay and lack of work flexibility — hours and location. If you have done everything to try and advance or take on more work in your present role, and nothing has happened, you may want to consider a change. I can tell when companies are serious about growth for their employees because they have invested in learning and development resources and teams, provide time for learning, and/or even given every group or individual a budget for learning. Growth has become such a significant factor that any organization that turns a blind eye to this will not retain its people.
You have tried to make changes without success
As I eluded to above, you must try to get ahead of the signs before they become reality. Don’t expect your manager to ensure you never feel frustrated, blocked, or unsuccessful. You need to help drive that and give feedback up. Also remember, it is usually easier to be promoted internally than launching a full-on job search. So, exhaust all avenues at your current employer first. But if most or all of the signs above are true, trust your instincts. It could be time for a change.
Another question I get asked from time to time is: “Should I quit without having another job?” There are many different perspectives on this question but I would say in 99% of the situations, no. Some experts will say to look at your financial situation, weigh your alternatives and make an informed decision. I can’t think of any situation, other than an extremely toxic work environment, where you should feel okay walking away without another opportunity. Most of us can stay put for six months or so while we find something else.
Don’t take quitting lightly. This is a big decision that deserves some analysis to make sure it is the right thing to do. Think about the five signs above. Do you relate to only one of them? Maybe you should stay especially if #5 is not true. If you haven’t tried everything, you owe it to yourself to do so. But do the five signs read like a checklist? Well, maybe it is time to make a change.